Shaft timing adjustment device



W. B. PETERSON, JR SHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT DEVICE Oct. 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1956 t n-F fIG-l INVENTOR. W/u/AM 5. PETEFJOA; A,

W. B. PETERSON, JR

SHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT DEVICE vOct. 22, 1957 Filed Dec. 10, 1956 INVENTOR. WILL/4M 5. P9225064: lay L Irrazw'y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 22, 1957 Filed Dec. 10, 1956 W. B. PETERSON, JR

SHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Arrows/n S I N I I J I I I I I I I I I I l I g; Cf I Y M Q\ I a Q O I, I Q K R i k 4 INVENTOR.

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6 A Q! f SHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT DEVICE William B. Peterson, Jr., Long Beach, Calif., assignor to Angelus Sanitary Can Machine Co., Vernon, Califi, a corporation of California Application December 10, 1956, Serial No. 627,258

8 Claims. (Cl. 64-24) This invention relates to a new and improved shaft timing adjustment device and more particularly relates to a device for shifting the angular position or phase relationship of the drive shaft of one machine relative to the angular position of the drive shaft of another machine While thetwo machines are in operation.

aired States Patent Q The present invention is concerned with the problem frequently occurring in manufacturing operations wherein the speeds of two adjacent machines have been synchronized, but wherein it is also required that the commencement of the cycles of operation of the two machines be accurately adjusted so that as a product leaves one machine, it is smoothly transferred into and received by the next. A typical example of such an installation is found in a food-canning plant wherein a product is filled into an open top can in a can-filling machine and then moved into a can-closing machine where a cover is seamed onto the can. The filler and closing machine operate at the same speed and are frequently driven by the same motor. Smooth passage of the can fromthe filler to the closing machine is highly desirable to prevent spilling of the contents of the can and also to reduce the likelihood of the machines jamming. Phase adjustment of the two machines is thus important in order to effect the smooth transfer and the present invention accomplishes such result.

Another problem encountered in adjusting the phases of two machines arises out of the fact that in order accurately to make such adjustments, it is necessary that the machines be in operation, and this result is likewise satisfactorily attained by the present invention.

Accordingly, one of the principal features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of means for adjusting the timing of the shafts of two adjacent machines so that the commencement of the cycles of operation of the two machines occur at a predetermined time interval relative to each other.

Another feature and advantage of the machine is the provision of means for adjusting the timing of the two shafts while the machines are in operation.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that the instant timing adjustment device is so constructed that the axes of rotation of the shafts of the two machines are concentric.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the fact that the timing adjustment device is simple in construction and has very few moving parts and further, after the adjustment of the timing has been completed, the various parts do not move relative to each other.

A still further advantage of the present invention is the fact that once the adjustment is made, the device automatically locks in position.

The present invention employs a pair of members axially shiftable relative to each other, the members being helically splined, whereby when the members are shifted longitudinally relative to each other along their common axis of rotation, they are also rotated relative to each correspondingly dimensioned. .As is apparent from the other and wherein each of the members is operatively connected with one of the two shafts whereby the shafts are shifted angularly relative to each other. The two shafts do not themselves shift longitudinally relative to each other, nor do they move angularly relative to each other except for the short time interval while adjustment is being carried out and only for a very limited amplitude of movement.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of means for shifting the two members heretofore referred to in an axial direction relative to each other, which means is so constructed and arranged that a very fine and precise adjustment of the two shafts may be accomplished.

A still further feature of the means for shifting the two members relative to each other in an axial direction is the fact that the parts are so constructed and arranged that the thrust reactions of the members relative to each other are locked out.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the device installed between two adjacent machines;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a modified construction.

As illustrated particularly in Fig. 1, there is provided a first shaft 11 which may be either a drive shaft or driven shaft, extending longitudinally through the device. Shaft 11 is connected at the righthand end to a machine 12, such as a can-closing machine and is driven from motor 13 by belt 14 and pulleys 16 and 16 At the opposite end of the device and surrounding the end of shaft 11 is a rotatable member 17 having a hub 18, which hub may be connected by any convenient coupling 19 to the shaft 21 on a second machine 22, such as a can-filling machine and for such purpose hub 18 is formed with a V plurality of tapped holes 23 to receive bolts 24 passing through a flange on coupling 19.

inwardly of hub 18 member 17 is formed with an elongated integral sleeve 26 extending inwardly approximately one-half the length of the device and inner sleeve 26 is formed with an internal collar 27 having internal helical splines 28. In a preferred embodiment of the machine, twenty-four splines 28 are formed in collar 27, each having a helix angle of 30. It will be understood that the number of splines and the helix angle may be varied, depending upon operating conditions of the device. Intermediate collar 27 and hub 18 member 17 is formed with an internal recess 29 to provide clearance for the axial shifting of movable splined sleeve 31. Movable splined sleeve 31 extends approximately one-half the length of the device and its inner end is formed with an external collar 32 formed with external helical splines 33 meshing with internal splines 28 on member 17. In the modification shown in Figs. 1-4, inclusive, movable splined sleeve 31 is formed with an internal straight keyway 36 and shaft 11 is formed with a straight keyway 37 so that key 38 fitting in keyways 36 and 37 causes sleeve 31 to rotate with shaft 11. It will further be seen that splined sleeve 31 may move relative to shaft 11 in an axial direction and in order to permit this movement, the lengths of member 17, movable sleeve 31 and key 33 are description of the foregoing structure, when movable 11 by reason of the fact that splines 28 and 33 are helical.

rather than straight.

Movement of sleeve 31 along shaft 11'i's accomplished as follows: A generally cylindrical external casing 41 is provided at one end with an annular fitting 42 to which the cylinder portion is securely fastened by bolts 43. Fitting 42 may in turn be fastened by means of bolts 44 to the frame of machine 12. An oil seal 46 is installed in fitting 42 and-engages shaft 11. The opposite end of cylindrical casing 41 is closed off by an annular cap 47 attached thereto by bolts 48. Oil seal 49 is installed in cap 47 and engages hub 18. An O-ring type seal 51 is installed in groove 52 in shaft 11 to seal shaft 11 and hub 18 against egress of lubricant and hence oil is sealed in casing 41 up to about half the depth thereof. Member 17 is rotatably mounted in housing 41 by means of bearing 53, the inner race 53 of which engages sleeve 26 on member 17 and is held in position by snap rings 54 and the outer race 53 of which engages casing 41 and is held in position by snap ring 54*, casing 41 being formed with a step 56 to provide room for outer race 53 cap 47 being formed with a shallow cooperating step 57 for the same purpose.

The interior of cylindrical portion 41 adjacent the righthand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 3 is formed with an internal Acme-type gear thread 61. Meshing with threads 61 are corresponding threads 62 cut on external collar 64 formed on the righthand end of shifting sleeve 66 which fits around but does not engage collar 27 on the inner end of member 17-. On the left end of shifting sleeve 66 is a second collar 67 on the exterior of which are formed helical spur gear teeth 68 which in practical effect are equivalent to a worm wheel. Casing 41 is formed with a protuberance 69 formed with a bore 71 transverse to the direction of shaft 11 and in bore 71 is the inner end of adjustment stem 72 keyed by keys 73 to a worm 74 which meshes with helical spur gear 68. Exteriorly of worm 74 on stem 72 is a bushing 76 secured in position by set screw 77 which provides support for the outer end of adjustment stem 72. Stem 72 is squared at its outer end and provided With a turning wheel 78 or key. Hence when adjustment stem 72 is turned, worm 74 likewise is turned, which causes shifting sleeve 66 to revolve and to move endwise of casing 41 by reason of meshing of internal thread 61 on casing 41 and external thread 62 on shifting sleeve 66. The righthand end of shifting sleeve 66 is formed with an internal step 81 and a corresponding external step 82 is formed on the righthand end of the exterior of splined sleeve 31. A double thrust bearing 83 held in position by snap rings 84 and 84 is installed with its outer race fitting in step 81 and its inner race fitting in step 82. Thus as shifting sleeve 66 moves endwise relative to casing 41, splined sleeve 31 is moved in the same direction. The result of turning of adjustment stem 72 is thus to cause shaft 11 and hub 18 to move angularly relative to each other, but no endwise movement of shaft 11 occurs relative to hub 18. In operation, if it is assumed that the machine indicated by reference numeral 12 is driven by motor 13 and that shaft 11 is either identical with or connected to the drive shaft of machine 12, and if it is further assumed that it is desired to drive shaft 21 of secondmachine 22 from shaft 11 not only in synchronism but also in phase relationship thereto such that first rnachine 12 is in proper position in its cycle of operation to receive with a smooth transfer cans 86 or other articles discharged from the second machine or transfer table 87, then the utility of the foregoing described mechanism is apparent. With machines 12 and '22 operating, the operator observes the phase adjustment of the two machines and determines whether the second machine should be retarded or advanced in phase relative to the first. Upon making this determination, he turns adjustment stem 72 in the proper direction. Turning of stem 72 turns worm 74 which turns helical spur gear 68 on the lefthand end of shifting sleeve 66. The width of teeth 68 is such as to continue in engagement with worm 74 despite considerable endwise movement of shifting sleeve 66. By reason of thread 62 meshing with internal thread 61 in casing 41, turning of shifting sleeve 66 causes endwise movement of shifting sleeve 66 and this endwise movement is transmitted through bearing 83 to splined sleeve 31. Splined sleeve 31 moves endwise on shaft 11, but is continuously turned thereby. Its rotative movement is transmitted to collar 27 on the inner end of member 17 and hence hub 18 and shaft 21 are driven by shaft 11 at identical speed. When stem 72 is turned, an angular shifting of hub 18 relative to shaft 11 is accomplished by reason of the movement of sleeve 31 in an axial direction and by reason of the helical configuration of splines 28 and 33. Inasmuch as the helix angle in the preferred embodiment herein illustrated is 30, a 60 phase adjustment is accomplished with the parts proportioned as herein illustrated.

Stem 72 may be turned even while the machines are operating and this permits a more accurate adjustment of the phase relationship. It further permits immediate observation of the accuracy of adjustment.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, shaft 11 is provided with an external helical spline 91 and splined sleeve 31 is formed with an internal helical spline 92, spline 92 meshing with spline 91 on shaft 11. Helical spline 28 on sleeve 31 meshes with spline 33 on sleeve 27. Accordingly, movement of sleeve 31 in an axial direction causes angular shifting .of sleeve 31 relative to shaft 11 as well as angular shifting of splined sleeve 31 relative to sleeve 17. Accordingly, twice the angular shifting per increment of axial movement of sleeve 17 results in the modification of Fig. 5 as compared with the modification of Figs. 24, inclusive. In other respects the device as illustrated in Fig. 5 is similar to that of Figs. 24.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A timing adjustment device comprising a hollow casing means for stationarily mounting said casing, a first rotatable member rotatably mounted in said casing and extending externally thereof in a first direction, a second rotatable member rotatably mounted in said casing and extending externally thereof in a direction opposite said first direction, the axes of rotation of said first and second rotatable members coinciding, said second rotatable member having an elongated first sleeve extending circumferentially around a portion of said first rotatable member, said first sleeve being internally helically splined, a second sleeve extending at least partially within said first sleeve and concentric with said first rotatable member, means for rotating said second sleeve with said first rotatable member, said second sleeve being externally helically splined and meshing with the splines in said first sleeve, a third sleeve having its axis coinciding with said first rotatable member, means for transmitting movement of said third sleeve in an axial direction to said second sleeve, means for rotating said third sleeve, cooperating means on said casing and said third sleeve for transmitting rotary motion of said third sleeve into longitudinal motion of said third sleeve in an axial direction, and means for transmitting axial movement of said third sleeve into axial movement of said second sleeve.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which said second sleeve is keyed to said first rotatable member with a straight key whereby, upon axial shifting of said second sleeve, said second sleeve does not rotate relative to said first rotatable member.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which said second sleeve is formed with an internal helical spline and said first rotatable member with a meshing external helical spline whereby, upon axial shifting of said second sleeve, said second sleeve rotates relative to said first rotatable member.

4. A device according toclaim 1 in which said means for rotating said second sleeve with said first rotatable member comprises a straight key engaging said first rotatable member and said second sleeve.

5. A device according to claim 1 in which said cooperating means on said casing and said third sleeve comprises a thrust bearing interposed between said third sleeve and said second sleeve, said thrust bearing being movable with said second and third sleeves to transmit movement of said third sleeve in an axial direction to said second sleeve.

6. A timing adjustment device comprising a hollow casing, means for stationarily mounting said casing, a first rotatable member rotatably mounted in said casing and extending externally thereof in a first direction, a second rotatable member rotatably mounted in said casing and extending externally thereof in a direction opposite said first direction, the axes of rotation of said first and second rotatable members coinciding, said sec ond rotatable member having an elongated first sleeve extending circumferentially around a portion of said first rotatable member, said first sleeve being internally splined, a second sleeve extending at least partially within said first sleeve and concentric with said first rotatable member, means for rotating said second sleeve with said first rotatable member, said second sleeve being externally splined and meshing with the splines on said first sleeve, a third sleeve having its axis coinciding with said first rotatable member, said casing being formed with internal threads, said third sleeve being formed with first external threads meshing with the internal threads on said casing, said third sleeve also being formed with second external gear teeth, a worm rotatably mounted in said casing in a direction transverse to the axis of said first rotatable member, an adjustment stem for rotating said worm, said worm meshing with said second teeth on said third sleeve whereby upon rotation of said stem, said third sleeve is rotated and rotative movement of said third sleeve is transmitted into longitudinal movement in an axial direction of said third' sleeve, and means for transmitting movement in an axial direction of said third sleeve to said second sleeve.

7. A timing adjustment device comprising a hollow casing, means for stationarily mounting said casing, a

first rotatable member rotatably mounted in said casing and extending externally thereof in a first direction, a second rotatable member rotatably mounted in said casing and extending externally thereof in a direction opposite said first direction, the axes of rotation of said first and second rotatable members coinciding, said second rotatable member having an elongated first sleeve extending circumferentially around a portion of said first rotatable member, said first sleeve being internally helicaily splined, a second sleeve extending at least partially within said first sleeve and concentric with said first rotatable member, means for rotating said second sleeve with said first rotatable member, said second sleeve being externally helically splined and meshing with the splines on said first sleeve, a third sleeve having its axis (:0- inciding with said first rotatable member, said casing being formed with internal threads, said third sleeve being formed with first external threads meshing with the internal threads on said casing, said third sleeve also being formed with second external gear teeth, a worm rotatably mounted in said casing in a direction transverse I to the axis of said first rotatable member, an adjustment stem for rotating said worm, said worm meshing with said second teeth on said third sleeve whereby upon rotation of said stem, said third sleeve is rotated and rotative movement of said third sleeve is transmitted into longitudinal movement in an axial direction of said third sleeve, and means for transmitting movement in an axial direction of said third sleeve to said second sleeve.

8. A timing adjustment device according to claim 7 in which said means for rotating said second sleeve with said first rotatable member comprises meshing internal helical splines on said second sleeve and external helical splines on said first rotatable member whereby when said second sleeve is moved in an axial direction, said second sleeve moves angularly relative to said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member moves angularly relative to said second sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,007,097 Gulick Oct. 31, 1911 1,150,694 Montague Aug. 17, 1915 1,391,777 Jacobson Sept, 27, 1921 

